I was at the Benefit counter the other day picking up my umpteenth pot of Skinny Jeans, and while I was there I figured I may as well put my arms to good use by swatching the entire line of Velvet Eyeshadows.

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These came out in the summer of 2009 — a truly great year for makeup — and I think they’re still some of the best things in the Benefit line. They’re silky and pigmented with a gorgeous, subtle sheen (like a very faint shine). And coupled with a good primer, they last all day long on my skin without creasing or fading.

I’m particularly fond of Where There’s Smoke (looks FANTASTIC atop Skinny Jeans), Nice Melons ( this for that wide awake look) and Fancy Pansy (gorgeous! — flashes from pink to purple to blue), but I like just about every shade in the line.

Velvet Eyeshadow swatches from left with the flash: Leggy, Fancy Pansy, Bikini Line, Bo Peep and Rich BeachAlso from left with the flash: Buckle Bunny, Like What You Sea?, Gimme Some Plum and Dandy Brandy

Again from left with the flash: Fawn Over Me, Where There’s Smoke and Nice Melons

Swatches with the flash

Swatches without the flash

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What do ya think? Have you tried any of these before?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Greetings from Canada (Toronto to be exact)! 🙂 My flight arrived this afternoon, and I’m checked into the hotel. It’s actually pretty late here, so I’m getting ready for bed. I still can’t shed any light on my mission yet except to say that it’s extremely makeup related. Details to follow…

So far, 24 people have commented on this article. How cool is that?

Hi Karen! Thanks for the swatches and recommendations. I hope you are having a lovely time in Canada. I’ve only been there once, but I really enjoyed it.

My Wednesday has been busy (it was filled with meetings and classes), and tomorrow is an early day. However, I am expecting to get my first Birchbox any day now, and I’m hoping to run by Macy’s to take advantage of the gift with purchase promo at Clinique. How’s your day been?

how are you enjoying the t-dot? i used to live near there a decade ago but haven’t been back since i moved to the west coast. enjoy the city for me! 🙂dani@callitbeauty recently posted … Collection Spotlight- Jason Wu – Spring 2011

I’ve always wanted to buy Nice Melons 🙂 Partly because of the name, and partly because it juts looks like such a gorgeous shade! Where’s The Smoke is on my radar too now~Makeup Morsels recently posted … The Wednesday Wigeon No18

Hi Karen
Wow it’s been ages since I commented. I tried a couple of them at the counter when I was in Germany and I think that next time Leggy and Where there’s smoke will come home with me. Very pretty 🙂Karen B recently posted … Simple Truth on Tuesday

Karen, you are the Delta Force commander of the makeup world. Going undercover, fully camouflaged, crawling on the ground in far-flung places to bring us the latest and greatest. It’s like the president has a dedicated phone line just for your special missions! What in the world are you up to?!? C’mon, tell me, I’m nosy…. 😉

I love some Benefit Velvet Eyeshadows. I have Leggy and Dandy Brandy and theyÂ´re absolutely gorgeous and well pigmented, but the other day I ordered from the Benefit web the Nice Melons eyeshadow and well… it was really dissapointing. ItÂ´s really sheer, and I have to pack it a lot on my eyelid to show a little. But with the other two eyeshadows IÂ´m really happy 🙂